Raw solution to gingivitis

[wolcar]

My Ulysses has gingivitis on his left back side of his mouth. I'm pretty certain it's because I can't get him to chew his food. I'm slowly increasing the size of the chunks/strips of met I give them. Any raw solutions to this problem. Vet was really cool with the raw diet but suggested a non raw pellet type of dry food to give as a snack. I don't want to do it. Plus, I don't think fe chews that stuff either.

Any suggestions?

 

[otto]

No kibble! It serves no benefit.

But I have seen it advised (from vet sites discussing raw) that if there is a dental problem, the cat should have a dental done before attempting raw chunks. Since it may be painful to chew, I think, plus of course raw isn't going to remove tartar already built up, it will only prevent more from forming.

I don't remember where I read that, but in at least two places. I'll have to search around some of the raw feeding sites I've read and post links if I can find the references.

Okay here's one:

http://catinfo.org/?link=makingcatfood#Dental_Health

 

[wolcar]

His teeth aren't bad. He just has a teensy bit of gingivitis on the one side in The Back. I'm trying to head a problem off at the pass. They've been eating raw for a bit now. I started them on small chunks in the beginning. Just wondering if the bigger chunks will force him to chew and if that will help.

 

[ldg]

Chewing raw won't help reverse gingivitis, but once it's cleared up, it will prevent it. The best thing to do is get a dental, because you can't see what's going on below the gum line, and the gingivitis itself is an indication there is tartar/bacteria build-up - whether you can see it or not. But once it's treated, the raw diet should prevent its return.

http://www.cat-world.com.au/gingivitis-in-cats